The Story Of The California Republic
The Bear Flag of the Republic of California
The California Republic is a little-known country that existed for a very short time in history. It only lasted 25 days! It was formed when a group of Americans inhabiting California, then a Mexican territory, rebelled against the Mexican government. The rebellion was started by thirty-three Americans. That thirty-three recruited many more. There were a lot of Americans in California then, even though it was owned by Mexico. This made it easy for them to recruit a small army. Together, they took the city of Sonoma. This military rebellion allowed the creation of a new Republic. The flag for the Republic of California features a walking bear. This flag was designed by a man named Peter Storm. The flag of the Republic of California is still a popular accessory to this day, on posters, mugs, and funny political t shirts. The taking of Sonoma happened with almost no violence. A group of American soldiers rode into Sonoma and found the Mexican comandante, or military officer’s residence. Pounding on his door, they demanded to negotiate terms and declared themselves to have jurisdiction over Sonoma. After forcing this negotiation, the commander on the American Side, William B. Ide, issues the following proclamation to all residents of the area:
He [William B. Ide] also solemnly declares his object in the Second place to be to invite all peaceable and good Citizens of California who are friendly to the maintenance of good order and equal rights (and I do hereby invite them to repair to my camp at Sonoma without delay) to assist us in establishing and perpetuating a “Republican Government” which shall secure to all: civil and religious liberty; which shall detect and punish crime; which shall encourage industry, virtue and literature/
This proclamation amounted to a miniature Declaration of Independence for the short-lived Republic. The flag, first drawn on a piece of cotton cloth, wound up symbolizing the new Republic.
This may sound very unlikely, but it came at a particular point in history. Both the United States and Mexico felt, at the time, that they should own California. A great deal of American immigration was seen as a threat by the Mexicans, whom the Americans at the time frequently referred to as “Spaniards”. The American Secretary of State during all this was a man named James Buchanan, who had instructed his subordinates in to take advantage of any unrest they could find in California. What this all means is that the United States government was looking for any opportunity it could find to create chaos in California and seize the state. There as a lot of international tension at the time, and the short-lived Republic of California was symptomatic of that.
It was a flash in the pan in history, but the Republic of California’s Bear Flag continues to be iconic to this day. It recalls that time in history, and also stands as a symbol for California itself. It can be seen today in many places, including funny political t shirts and other memorabilia.
What are Saggittarius traits?
In ancient Greek mythology, medicine was considered to have been created by a centaur named Chiron. Chiron was thought to be a wise old centaur who had gifted the knowledge of medicine to human kind. You could almost call him the centaur for disease control! Horrible puns aside, the Sagittarius symbol is a centaur, and it echoes the qualities of Chiron. This is the symbol you see on zodiac merchandise, such as a Sagittarius t-shirt. Sagittariuses are wise, loyal, kindhearted, and understanding. They can also be egotistical and manipulative if they are unhealthy. Carrying Chiron’s traits, Sagittariuses have some unique qualities that make them stand out among other signs. If you want to understand Sagittariuses, you must know that they carry the following traits:
A Saggittarius t shirt
First, Sagittariuses are self-determined. They have what psychologists call an internal locus of control, meaning they follow their own way and are not pulled around by other people. This can be a strength because a Saggi is hard to manipulate and can be very creative, inventive, and original in a way that other people are not. But it can also be a weakness, because Saggis can be rude, cold, or rejecting toward other people if they feel imposed upon. As always, moderation is key. Learn to recognize your Sagittarius independence and its strengths, but know that other people’s input can be valuable.
Second, Sagittariuses are empathetic. They are high in what psychologists call trait agreeableness. This means that they are capable of understanding other people’s feelings. Even more, a Saggi can sometimes feel another person’s emotions directly. If an anxious person is in the room, the Saggi may feel anxious and not know why! This can be a strength, because a Saggi can be very good at reading and empathizing with people. This makes them natural counselors and therapists. But it can also be a weakness, because sometimes Saggis are manipulative, using their powers for the wrong end. They can also become overwhelmed by the emotions of others.
Third, Saggis are very inquisitive. This means they are high in what psychologists call trait openness, or openness to experience. Saggis are open-minded novelty seekers who want to see more of the world. They can become bored easily and need constant new stimulation. This can be a strength, because Saggis become very knowledgeable after tasting and dabbling in so many different things, and because they are willing to entertain any idea, no matter how outlandish. It can also be a weakness, because Saggis can be “so open minded their brains fell out”. They sometimes can be easily distractible. They can lose focus or end up being preoccupied by small things out of curiosity, missing both the bigger picture and their own responsibilities.
As a Saggittarius, you are one of the wisest and most open of all signs. Remember to stay focused, never let your natural curiosity die, use your powers for good, and don’t let other people’s feelings overwhelm you. Listen to their counsel, but always, always march to the beat of your own drum, whether that means having your own unique style, wearing vintage t shirts, or burning incense in your home.
